Table 1.
Study and intervention characteristics of the included randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
| Study, year, and country | Study population | Study length | Sample size, N | Female participants, n (%) | Age (y), mean | Details about the intervention | Details about the control |
| Ansari et al [55], 2022, Iran | Women aged 40-60 y | 12 wk | IGa: 55; CGb: 55 | 110 (100) | 52 | The sample was divided into 2 groups: SMS text messaging or mobile social networking app; both received information about benefits and how to overcome potential barriers to physical activity. | No true control |
| Eslami et al [50], 2022, Iran | Pregnant women with overweight and obesity (ie, BMI >25 kg/m2) | 8 wk | IG: 70; CG: 70 | 140 (100) | NRc; >55% in the 20-30–y age group | SMS text messages about physical activity (recommendations of amount and intensity, benefits, safe exercises, and precautions during pregnancy), diet, and supplements; educational booklet; and 1 face-to-face training session | Usual care |
| Saleh et al [48], 2022, Jordan | Patients with heart failure | 8 wk | IG: 76; CG: 76 | 52 (39) | 60.8 | 2 apps: Samsung Health app (goal setting and self-monitoring of activity) and social media app (posts about the benefits of physical activity, exercise videos, and discussion forum with a health expert; participants were encouraged to post and comment in the group) | Usual care; participants also received the setup for the Samsung Health app without receiving details about its features |
| Alshahrani et al [49], 2021, Saudi Arabia | Female university students | 10 wk | IG: 53; CG: 50 | 103 (100) | NR; 70% were aged ≥20 y | WhatsApp group: a 15-min orientation and 3-4 messages/wk about physical activity | No intervention |
| Abbaspoor et al [51], 2020, Iran | Pregnant women with prediabetes | 12 wk | IG: 50; CG: 50 | 100 (100) | IG: 27.8; CG: 29 | 2 SMS text messages every second day about gestational diabetes and 4 face-to-face training sessions | 4 face-to-face training sessions |
| Alghafri et al [43,47], 2020 and 2018, Oman | Inactive adults with type 2 diabetes | 1 y | Cluster RCT; IG: 122; CG: 110 | 137 (59) | 44 | Monthly WhatsApp messages, 3 face-to-face 20-min consultations about physical activity, and pedometers | Usual care |
| Parandeh et al [52], 2019, Iran | Women aged 30-45 y | 8 wk | IG: 63; CG: 63 | 126 (100) | IG: 36.1; CG: 35.8 | Daily SMS text messages about osteoporosis prevention (including physical activity and diet) | Educational SMS text messages about cancers in women |
| Quronfulah [42], 2019, Saudi Arabia | Male office workers | 12 wk | Cluster RCT; IG: 33; CG: 33 | 0 (0) | 43.5 | Weekly SMS text messages targeting self-efficacy and self-regulation of physical activity, workplace computer prompts to take a break, videos of short bursts of exercise, and group and 1-1 educational sessions | No intervention |
| Alsaleh et al [53], 2016, Jordan | Outpatients with coronary heart disease | 26 wk | IG: 71; CG: 85 | 72 (46) | IG: 57.7; CG: 58 | SMS text messages (2/wk for the first 3 mo and 1/wk for the last 3 mo) with reminders to be active and meet personal goals; 1 face-to-face consultation to discuss barriers and facilitators and increase self-efficacy for physical activity; 6 phone calls to provide tailored feedback, review goals, and discuss any arising barriers; and paper diary to self-monitor physical activity | Usual care |
| Goodarzi et al [54], 2012, Iran | Adults with type 2 diabetes aged >30 y | 12 wk | IG: 43; CG: 38 | 63 (77) | IG: 51; CG: 56.7 | 4 SMS text messages/wk about exercise, diet, diabetes medication, and importance of self-monitoring blood glucose levels | No intervention |
aIG: intervention group.
bCG: control group.
cNR: not reported.